“The nature, texture, and complexion of the farm are changing. The gates are opening—slowly if not surely—to many who were previously excluded. Land reform promises to deliver tangible justice to those who’ve been deprived for far too long. Human population is projected to reach an astounding 9.7 billion by 2050. Every mouth will need to eat, and do so well. Climate change remains a challenge. But human ingenuity is hard to beat. Strategies and tactics will emerge. They must emerge. Business models are shifting—the farm is transforming into a high performance, high growth enterprise. It’s adding value to crops, turning commodities into products, and moving up the supply chain. The modern farm is a brand, with a USP, and a target audience. It can double-up as a factory, distillery, restaurant, place of learning, or even a wedding venue. Today’s farm is experimenting with new production methods and processes: biotechnology, big data, GPS, drones, robotics, and autonomous systems. Even the adjectives are changing: the farm can now be smart, precise, vertical, lean, organic, hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic.

The farm, like the future, is not what it used to be.

Get ready for TEDxJohannesburgSalon: Hacking the Farm. The event takes place on 1 March 2018, at Tshimologong Precinct, in Braamfontein. We’re selecting our speakers from a range of farmers, technologists, agronomists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, commodity traders, chefs, restaurateurs, analysts, and activists. Each will take the farm apart, and put it back together again. Collectively, they will give us a perspective on the exciting changes that the farm is going through, as it transforms to meet the demands of a rapidly approaching future.

We’re thrilled that a truly awesome group of speakers have agree to participate. They include the following: